Daily Archives: 09/15/2009

(Community Matters) In our offices yesterday – which we share with close friends of EF – an employee of our landlord sent a note that she has swine flu and might still be contagious but that she’d sequester herself in her office.

There was a wee protest and the employee decided to go home. raging fever or what?

(Community Matters) There ought to be two versions placed up for a vote.

The first, a bi-partisan bill might compromise on the public option with a trigger or a co-op option and perhaps also restrict public funding for abortion services. If the Republicans join in voting for this option, then wha la.

If Republicans don’t join in voting for the first option, the next version should forget all the conservative compromising and load up on more liberal features including a robust public option and full reproductive services.

(Community Matters) best signs

(Community Matters) Lynn & Tom Meredith and Marc & Suzanne Winkelman invited several friends to dinner to meet Tom & Susanne Schieffer. Tom (a former ambassador to Japan and Australia) is running for governor. Tom’s bio

Tom Meredith, Susanne & Tom Schieffer

I asked Tom about his Democratic credentials – doesn’t bode well for him that he was George W. Bush’s ambassador to Australia and Japan, a former business partner and supporter. Stories of Tom Schieffer’s involvement in 43’s campaigns exaggerated, however. He acknowledged GWB is a friend and that they’d been business partners in the Texas Rangers. However, reports that he’d raised money for Bush’s political races evidently not correct; he did acknowledge he & Susanne max contributing to the races.

Schieffer says he has always voted in Democratic primaries, has always been a Democrat and accepted the ambassador appointments with the understanding that he’d remain a Democrat. He was one of the youngest ever elected Democrats to the Texas House (at 24yo) and served 3 terms. Ambassador Olson (Clinton’s Ambassador to Sweden and a yellow dog Texas Democrat) is Tom’s finance chair.

Rep. Mark Strama, Ambassador Lydon Olson, Rebecca Leal & Lynn Meredith

Tom Schieffer is very attunded to education. He offers that running for governor first occured to him while serving in Tokyo and realizing how badly Texas was losing out in a competitive workforce because of our poor investment in education. He’s a very strong believer in investment of tax dollars in early childhood development and public education.

if it doesn’t touch your heart, it ought to touch your head because it’s going to touch your wallet.

Education is the infrastructure of the modern world. We have to have early childhood education.

A good business climate is not just low taxes. It’s about a well-educated workforce.

Amy Grace Tharp & Suzanne Winkelman

Andy Brown, Doug Ulman, Marc Winkelman & Jack London

You know it’s a great day when you share both breakfast and lunch with Doug Ulman and Marc Winkelman.

Others at dinner included Melanie Barnes, Crystal Cotti, Becky Beaver, Mary Margaret & Ray Farabee, Jean Rather, Amy & Kirk Rudy and just a few others (my mind is going soft – I think I have to stay home tonight).

Lynn, Tommy & Tom

(Community Matters) A note from a Jerusalem friend about his high blood pressure scare and the Israeli healthcare system.

Two nights ago, I had a high blood pressure scare and we rushed, at midnight, to the emergency room at the Hadassah hospital, which is 10 minutes away from us. We spent three hours there; everything is all right now. This was an opportunity to observe the Israeli “health care” system in action. The place was busy (though without any ER television drama). The patients were mostly middle and low class – the regular Jerusalem crowd, secular, religious, Arabs. The place was sparkling, the staff was efficient and very polite and patient, the whole place functioning smoothly and efficiently. The ECG was in place within 10 minutes of arrival; the eye test that was required was done at the proper department immediately upon arrival ( at 1 in the morning ). There were people groaning around us, some looked really bad, and all were attended to. It was very impressive.

The bill was $150, and will be covered by our (government-subsidized) insurance.All this becomes poignant to us as we watch the acrimonious debate you have about health care in America. The intensity of the opposition to the plan baffles us completely, and those of us who admire America find it embarrassing. Our socialized health system – which is similar to most of the West European health systems – is one of the most shining aspects of life here, and draws no opposition at all. The rich can still get some extra perks, some expedited non-urgent procedures with greater comfort, but overall it is a system that works well, at a fraction of what it costs in America, and it provides us with one of the highest life expectancies in the world (this, and plenty of humor!)

(Community Matters) Dinner tonight at the Merediths to meet Tom Schieffer (and his wife Susanne). Tom’s a Democrat running for governor. I liked him. Asked tough questions and liked his answers. I’ll post more and some pictures on here in the morning.

(Community Matters) Steven and I are endorsing Bill White’s race for the US Senate.

The Mayor has an outstanding record of accomplishment as mayor of Houston, having been reelected twice with 86% and 91% of the vote. He’s a successful business man, former Deputy Secretary for Energy, a Harvard and UT Law grad and a Texas native. I’ve met with him and have spoken with him a few times – simply outstanding. We need him in the US Senate.

(Community Matters) . . . as a third gender. I’ve been thinking about the unique chemistry between gay men and straight men & women. It seems unique, very productive.

(Community Matters) Breakfast this morning with Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana. He’s an important D leader on the following committees: Armed Services; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Energy & Natural Resources; Small Business & Entrepreneurship; Select Committee on Intelligence; Special Committee on Aging. He’s a former governor and secretary of state.

He noted that then Senator Obama spent $15mm in Indiana and visited 50 times. McCain spent $0 in the state. Indiana went blue for the first time since 1964. Considers the big three legislative silos: the deficit, health care and the role of government. Thinks the American people’s tolerance for more big government action might be exhausted after healthcare reform. I didn’t realize he’d been a finalist for vice president.